First Fall Swift Event Enjoyed By Many

Friday, September 4th was the first of two “Welcome Back the Swifts” events Lane County Audubon Society sponsored in September. Approximately 85 gathered, families and groups of friends, along with some dogs, to watch the biannual spectacle of the Vaux’s Swifts entering the chimney at Agate Hall. A Cooper’s Hawk swooped up to the chimney around 7:55, quickly grabbed a swift, and flew away. It took about 15 minutes for the 7,420 Vaux’s Swifts to enter the chimney.

The folks who came to watch, eat Prince Puckler’s ice cream, and hang out were spread out in the playground, parking lots, and down the alley, so everyone had adequate space for safe distancing. It was a fun time for all ages, young to older!